Untitled Document

William Broadbent

William Broadbent , one of the energetic and progressive farmers of Annawan Township , where he resides on section 34, is a son of James and Betty Broadbent. He was born in Yorkshire , England , in 1822. His parents are both deceased, having died in England , which was their native country—the father May 27, 1871 , aged 78 years, and the mother May 17, 1879 , aged 81 years.

William came to America in 1840, on the 17 th day of April, and may be called one of the pioneers of Henry County . He located in the Barren Grove, where he owns 320 acres of good land, 220 acres of which is under excellent cultivation, and finely equipped, and 100 acres of it is timber pasture. Upon this land he has erected a good substantial dwelling, 40 x 46 feet, being a two-story house. He has a herd of 90 head of Short-horn cattle of a good grade. His horses are of the English Draft breed, and he has an excellent flock of Cotswold sheep.

Before Mr. Broadbent left England he was united in marriage with Rose Ann Prince, their wedding day being the 8 th of May, 1844 . She started with him across the Atlantic to the New World , and while in mid-ocean died, and was consigned to a watery grave. In 1851, Mr. Broadbent and Mrs. Martha Boot were united in marriage. She was born in 1826, in England . The record of the children are as follows: By his first marriage the following children were born: Benjamin, July 1, 1844 , and Wilson , July 2, 1846 . By his second marriage the following were born: George H., May 11, 1853 ; Mary E., Nov. 27, 1855 ; Charlotte H., Jan. 9, 1858 ; James E., April 30, 1860 ; Thomas A., Sept. 29, 1862 ; Alice J., Sept. 27, 1866 . Mrs. Broadbent, by her former marriage to Mr. Booth, had the following children; Robert P., born March 7, 1846 , and Eliza, May 2,, 1848 .

Mrs. Broadbent’s father, George Prince, was also a native of England , and was born in 1782. He was married to Rebecca Wilson, who was born in June, 1796. They came to America , and located in the northern part of Illinois , where, on the 4 th of May, 1862 , in Bureau County , Mr. Prince died. Mrs. Prince died in Henry County . They were the parents of the following ten children: Sarah, Robert, George, Rose Ann, Martha, Mary, Anna, Rebecca, Ruth and Emma.

Mr. Broadbent is one of the prominent and well-to-do farmers of Henry County . He is a man highly esteemed for his many good qualities, and one of the old settlers of Henry County .

1885 Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry Co., Illinois page 438

Transcribed by Jan Roggy

Illinois Ancestors